Feeling sorry for people doesn’t get the Gospel to them so that the may be saved. The Bible says that Jesus was moved with compassion. “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14).
As Jesus saw people the way God saw them, He was moved. He couldn’t just sit there and look at them and think, “Oh, those poor people.” It’s amazing how many times we have seen video clips or heard stories about people from all over the world who are hurting and desperate for Christ.
Not only are they not saved—they don’t even have any way to get saved. There are people all around the world with no Bibles, preachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Christian television or radio programs, Christian bands…nothing.
Who Else Is Going To Reach Them?
We hear about them, but we have virtually no compassion in our hearts for them. We think to ourselves, “Oh, those poor people. It’s just too bad.” No, it’s not just too bad, it’s a tragedy! We hear about them so much we have become callused to their plight, and we think that somebody else is reaching them.
We hear stories that should move us to compassion, but we are so self-centered we are not moved at all. We just feel sorry for them. Feeling sorry for them won’t save them. Feeling sorry for them won’t get the Gospel to them. Feeling sorry for them is not being selfless; it’s just a way to justify our selfishness.
Our hearts get a little bit sad and maybe we even feel like we will pray for them, but if we are not doing anything to help them with their plight, we are being selfish.
When you think about the needs of the people of the world, going to reach them should be the natural response. When you’re moved with compassion, you should be compelled to do something about it the way Jesus did. Jesus didn’t say, “Oh, those poor people.” He said, “I’ve got to go to the cross for those people.” That needs to be our response. It is the natural response of a mature believer.
Godly Compassion Reaches Out
We shouldn’t have to be convinced that we really need to go. When we see the people, hear the stories, and see videos, our hearts should be overwhelmed with a compulsion to do something to help reach them. I’m not trying to be ‘Joe Spiritual’, I’m just trying to be a normal Christian who can sense the compassion of God for real people.
Some people think that you have to be an awesome Christian, or mega-spiritual, in order to go on a mission trip. Maybe you don’t feel that spiritual so you think you shouldn’t go. Going on a mission trip should be normal to people who care about loving God. When you care about the people God loves, you want to do something to reach them.
Write down the names of some countries you might be interested in going to. Start doing research and find a way to get with your church or with some other organization to get to one of the nations God has put on your heart.
It’s time to be moved—out of your comfort zone, out of your hometown. It’s time to be moved with compassion to the harvest field of reaching the world.
Myths About Maturity In Christ by Ron Luce.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania
Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.